Made it because I decided yesterday for a detour along Loch Rannoch but met my original route again at the campsite … after 32km and constant – partly unbearable pain in my left foot.
Saw the wonderful SCHIHALLION Munro – and the detour lead to one of the amazing CHALLENGE moments that people talk about.
Last year I started off at Mallaig crossing with the ferry over to Knoydart. There was a German on board as well … don’t know, but we talked about camping gas cartridges that you cannot check in … makes sense, but I did not comply out of ignorance. This made me doublecheck on whether my cartridge was still there … which was not the case but instead I found a german customs not that it was taken out!
I though my trip was over before it began … because three days without a cooker in the wilderness is not doable.
Anyway, the German offered to give me his spare one and I was saved … we walked together for about an hour and then went our own individual ways.
Why am I saying that … I was hungry this morning and once I reached the nice village of KINLOCH RANNOCH asked at the 5* Hotel and Spa (I am not kidding … single lane road to that place but apparently full) about a full scotish breakfast. Too late … I came at 10:05 and the kitchen closed at 10:00. But the friendly Lady send me to the artisan cafe in the village where I arrived at 10:20 with the Cafe opening at 10:30. 50m away was a table and bench attented by a challenger walker … and guess who it was … IMMO SEEBERGER the guy who saved me last year.
What coincidence is that 5 days into the walk, starting on three days in 14 locations and everyone with an individual walking route, to meet the person at exactly the same place and time that you owe an unsettled favor.
Thanks Immo and we are even now after I paid for the breakfast 🍳🤓
Immo went off to the Schihallion and I towards Blair Atholl … maybe we will meet again next year!
I continued along another lake and found the DUNASTAIR ESTATE castle — must have been a great place 100 years ago.
I continued the path up the hill and met a 82 year old “real” Scot who still hated everything that is English or a Stuart / Campbell … he kept me engaged for almost an hour talking about the hard work they did on the Blackwater Reservoir 60 years ago (see Day 3) and the working conditions. Quite interesting 🧐
While it was a relatively easy day today it still took me quite a long time and on the last 4 km I met Paul again (from Loch Ossian Youth Hostel) who just came out of the forest road when I came down on the normal road.
We greeted and he went where I was coming from 🙋♂️ … we quickly discussed his route and came to the conclusion that he was going the wrong way … another one of these moments … while you typically do not see anyone all day long at the weirdest times you meet someone that helps! Don’t get me wrong … I am absolutely not superstitious, but it is still amazing.
Tomorrow should be relatively easy … only 15km to Blair Atholl … shortest day during the tour and meant as a recovery day. I need to by some supplies and will have dinner somewhere … and I am staying at a clamping pod … first time!
My Travel Adventures 